Half-yearly report
Anglesey Mining plc LSE:AYM
Chairman's statement and interim management report November 2008
The year to date has been dominated by the global economic slowdown,
particularly its effects on Chinese production and demand and the ensuing
downturn in worldwide commodity prices. This downturn has affected the share
price of most mineral companies. Fortunately with Labrador Iron funded, the
group is in a position to weather the current economic difficulties.
Labrador Iron Ore
Development at the group's 50% owned Labrador Iron project in Canada advanced to
a high level. During the summer over 4,500 metres of reverse-circulation
drilling were completed together with a further 1,000 metres of hydro-geological
drilling. Work is now in progress on compiling updated resource estimates and a
detailed engineering and design study.
Some 6,500 tonnes of bulk sample were extracted from the first four deposits.
This material has been crushed and screened and is being shipped to the port of
Sept-Îles for onward delivery to potential end-users. Detailed engineering and
design work for the infrastructure and beneficiation systems has progressed
well. Arrangements for the rail transport and port facilities have also advanced
and the first ten ore transport cars have arrived on site.
Labrador Iron Mines had initiated environmental baseline studies in the region
at the start of exploration in 2005/2006. Since that time, seasonal
environmental studies, including work with elders of the various aboriginal
nearby communities, has been conducted to document the existing environment and
to include the collection of traditional knowledge in the environmental
assessment. In 2008 these programs were ramped up to meet the scope of the
proposed development. In April 2008, a Project Registration Application was
submitted for the first phase of development of the project to the Department of
Environment and Conservation in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and to
the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA). The Project Registration
Documentation addresses production from the first phase of the project, being
the James North, James South and Redmond properties. These properties have been
the subject of prior activity carried out by the Iron Ore Company of Canada and
are already partially developed.
On August 13, 2008 the Minister of Environment and Conservation requested an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the application process. On
October 29, 2008 the Minister published the draft guidelines for the preparation
of the EIS for public comment. The Minister is expected to publish the final
guidelines, which will include public consultation meetings, in early December.
The work necessary to complete this EIS is now being progressed and it is
expected that the EIS will be submitted prior to the calendar year end. On
submission the Minister will have a period of 70 days to review the EIS,
following which it should be submitted to the Cabinet for project approval. Upon
release of project approval, applications for the necessary operating permits
will be made. Assuming the operating permits are issued in the first or second
quarter of the year, it is planned to commence mining operations during the
summer of 2009. If the permits are not issued in time to enable summer
operations, the start of initial production may be delayed to 2010.
Discussions continue with a number of potential purchasers of iron ore product.
There has been a major decline in spot iron ore prices in recent months but the
company expects to sell most of its product based on the annual benchmark prices
agreed between the major suppliers and steel mills. It is likely that these
benchmark prices will weaken somewhat from the highs of 2008. At the end of
September, Labrador Iron held $C43.5 million (£23.0 million) in cash, which is
considered sufficient to take the project through to first production.
Parys Mountain
During the period extensive discussions took place with the Australian company
Western Metals Limited regarding a major investment in the Parys Mountain
project. As previously announced, these discussions were terminated in mid-
October with no agreement being reached.
Prices for base metals and in particular zinc and lead have fallen significantly
during the last three months. Nevertheless the board believes that the Parys
Mountain project, with its asset base still intact and its planning permissions
still valid, is well placed to take advantage of the upturn that is likely to
follow these price falls. In the meantime development work on Parys Mountain
will be maintained at low levels until there are signs of a recovery.
Financial
The loss for the six month period was £444,330 (2007 - £196,435) of which share
based remuneration amounted to £206,156 (2007- nil). Development expenses
capitalised amounted to £76,824 in respect of Parys Mountain (2007 £84,829) and
nil in respect of Labrador (2007 - £168,007); this year the Labrador development
is through an equity accounted associated company in which the group has a 50%
interest. The group has no revenues from the operation of its properties.
Outlook
In common with all other resource companies we are in a very uncertain economic
climate. However Parys Mountain can be maintained on a minimum expenditure basis
with no further significant demands on capital until markets improve. Juno
Limited, the group's major shareholder, has indicated that it intends to
continue its financial support, including making available further cash
advances. Labrador Iron continues to benefit from its strong cash position and
its ability to progress to development. The directors believe that the group is
in a relatively healthy position to ride out the current economic difficulties.
John F Kearney
Chairman
27 November 2008
Consolidated income statement - unaudited
for the six months ended 30 September 2008
Notes Six months Six months Year ended 31
ended 30 ended 30 March 2008
September September represented
2008 2007
All operations are continuing £ £ £
Revenue - - -
Administration expenses (211,490) (173,340) (399,331)
Equity-settled employee 5 (206,156) - (142,723)
benefits
Share of profits in 3,014 - 10,449
associate
Investment income 5,240 8,572 21,970
Finance costs (34,938) (31,667) (67,326)
Profit on deemed disposal - - 11,427,730
Parys properties fair value 7 - - (698,321)
adjustment
(Loss)/profit before tax (444,330) (196,435) 10,152,448
Tax - - -
(Loss)/profit for the year (444,330) (196,435) 10,152,448
Earnings per share
Basic - pence per share 6 (0.3)p (0.2)p 6.8
Diluted - pence per share 6 n/a n/a 6.7
Consolidated balance sheets - unaudited
30 30 31 March
September September 2008
2008 2007
£ £ £
Notes
Assets
Non-current assets
Mineral property 11 12,803,062 13,908,536 -
development
Property, plant and 204,687 185,102 -
equipment
Interest in associate 12,074,012 - 12,068,276
Deposit 118,223 115,026 -
25,199,984 14,208,664 12,068,276
Current assets
Other receivables 3,497 39,740 4,519
Cash and cash equivalents 80,483 603,811 217,968
83,980 643,551 222,487
Assets classified as held 7 - - 13,069,019
for sale
Total assets 25,283,964 14,852,215 25,359,782
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (611,256) (491,056) (63,819)
(611,256) (491,056) (63,819)
Net current (527,276) 152,495 158,668
assets/(liabilities)
Non-current liabilities
Loan (1,510,931) (1,440,334) (1,475,993)
Long term provision (42,000) (42,000)
(1,552,931) (1,482,334) (1,475,993)
Liabilities directly 7 - - (464,741)
associated with
assets classified
as held for sale
Total liabilities (2,164,187) (1,973,390) (2,004,553)
Net assets 23,119,777 12,878,825 23,355,229
Equity
Share capital 10 7,036,414 7,036,414 7,036,414
Share premium 8,092,423 8,092,423 8,092,423
Equity-settled benefits 5 578,428 229,549 372,272
reserve
Currency translation - 12,484 (2,718)
reserve
Retained profits/(losses) 7,412,512 (2,492,045) 7,856,838
Total shareholders' equity 23,119,777 12,878,825 23,355,229
Consolidated cashflow statement - unaudited
for the six months ended 30 September 2008
Notes Six months Six months Year ended 31
ended 30 ended 30 March 2008
September September
2008 2007
£ £ £
Operating activities
Profit/(loss) for the year (444,330) (196,435) 10,152,448
Adjustments:
Finance costs recognised 34,938 31,667 67,326
in profit or loss
Investment revenue (5,240) (8,572) (18,959)
recognised in profit or loss
Investment revenue - - (3,011)
recognised
in discontinued
operations
Equity-settled employee 5 206,156 - 142,723
benefits
Share of profit retained in (3,014) - (10,449)
associate
Profit on deemed disposal - - (11,427,730)
Parys properties fair value - - 698,321
adjustment
(211,490) (173,340) (399,331)
Movements in working capital
Increase/(decrease) in 124,696 (64,805) (203)
payables
Decrease/(increase) in 22,192 (950) (12,168)
receivables
Cash utilised by operations (64,602) (239,095) (411,702)
Interest paid - - -
Net cash used in operating (64,602) (239,095) (411,702)
activities
Investing activities
Interest received 3,940 7,622 19,121
Mineral property (76,823) (239,283) (445,763)
development
Payments for land and - - (19,585)
buildings
Net cash used in investing (72,883) (231,661) (446,227)
activities
Financing activities
Proceeds from issue of - 1,040,564 1,040,564
shares
Net cash from financing - 1,040,564 1,040,564
activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash (137,485) 569,808 182,635
Cash and cash equivalents at 217,968 34,003 34,003
start of year
Exchange rate changes on - - 1,330
foreign balances
Cash and cash equivalents at 80,483 603,811 217,968
end of year
Capital and reserves reconciliation - unaudited
Six months Six months Year ended 31
ended 30 Sep ended 30 Sep March 2008
2008 2007
£ £ £
At beginning of period 23,355,229 11,974,033 11,974,033
Equity-settled employee 206,156 - 142,723
benefits
Shares issued for cash - 1,040,563 1,040,564
Currency translations 2,722 60,664 45,461
(Loss)/profit for the (444,330) (196,435) 10,152,448
period
Total shareholders' equity 23,119,777 12,878,825 23,355,229
Statement of directors' responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the half yearly financial report in
accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge, these condensed
financial statements which should be read in conjunction with the annual
financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2008:
i) have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim financial
reporting' as adopted by the European Union; and
ii) include a fair review of the information required by the Financial
Services Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R.
The directors of the company are listed in the annual report and accounts 2008
and there have been no changes to the board since its publication. A list of
current directors is also maintained on the company's website to be found at
www.angleseymining.co.uk.
These interim results were approved by the board on 27 November 2008. The half-
yearly results for the current and comparative period are neither audited nor
reviewed by the company's auditors.
By order of the board
Bill Hooley Ian Cuthbertson
Chief Executive Finance Director
Significant accounting policies and notes to accounts
1. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING: The unaudited interim condensed financial statements
have been prepared under the historical cost convention, on a going concern
basis and in accordance with the accounting policies employed in the 31 March
2008 annual report. Any accounting assumptions and estimates made in connection
with these statements are consistent with those applied in that report. They
should be read in conjunction with that annual report which is available on the
company's website at www.angleseymining.co.uk.
2. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES: The risks and uncertainties applicable to these
condensed financial statements are the same as those described in the annual
report for the year ended 31 March 2008.
3. NEW IFRSs: There are no new IFRSs which affect these condensed financial
statements.
4. The group is engaged in mineral property development and has no turnover.
There are no minority interests or exceptional items.
5. EQUITY SETTLED EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: IFRS 2 "Share-based Payment" requires the
recognition of equity settled share-based payments (which in the case of the
group during the period are for share options only) at fair value at the date of
grant. The fair value of the options expensed in these statements has been
determined by a Black-Scholes option pricing model using a volatility factor of
66% and an option life of 3 years as the significant assumptions.
6. EARNINGS PER SHARE: The calculation and reporting of basic and diluted
earnings per share are in accordance with IAS 33. These earnings per share are
computed by dividing the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of £444,330
(2007 - loss - £196,435) by 152,558,051 (2007 - 144,217,887) - the weighted
average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. Since there is
loss for the period, diluted earnings per share are not reported.
7. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE: In the audited financial statements
at 31 March 2008, the group's Parys Mountain assets, liabilities and operations
were classified as held for sale, and a Parys properties fair value adjustment
was made in respect of a potential impairment in the carrying value of those
Parys assets and liabilities. Since that date and after the termination of
specific negotiations for sale, this classification has been rescinded and the
Parys project is not classified as being held for sale. Following a calculation
of the net present value, discounted at 10%, of the Parys Mountain cashflows
based on the directors' estimates of future metal prices and capital and
operating costs, the directors have decided to retain the Parys fair value
adjustment made in the 31 March 2008 financial statements in these condensed
financial statements and that no further impairment of the value of the Parys
project assets is appropriate.
8. BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS: All activities relate to the group's
principal activity which is the exploration and development of mining
properties: hence only the geographical segments have been disclosed below.
There are no revenues. From 3 December 2007 the Canadian activities have been
accounted for on an equity basis and from that date are not included in this
table. Previously the Canadian activities were consolidated on a line by line
basis.
Unaudited 2008 2007
UK Canada Total UK Canada Total
Capitalised £ £ £ £ £ £
Direct property 76,824 - 76,824 84,829 168,007 252,836
expenses capitalised
to mineral properties
Income statement
analysis
Corporate salaries & 87,851 - 87,851 46,087 - 46,087
related costs
Other corporate costs 123,639 - 123,639 101,291 25,962 127,253
211,490 - 211,490 147,378 25,962 173,340
Unallocated items
Equity settled 206,156 -
employee benefits
Share of profits in -
associate (3,014)
Investment income (5,240) (8,572)
Finance costs 34,938 31,667
Loss for the period 444,330 196,435
9. DEFERRED TAX: There is an unrecognised deferred tax asset of £1.4 million
which in view of the group's trading results, is not considered to be
recoverable in the short term. There are also capital allowances, including
mineral extraction allowances, exceeding £9 million unclaimed and available.
Because the recoverability of any taxation relative to these amounts from future
operations is uncertain, no deferred tax asset is reflected in the condensed
financial statements.
10. CHANGES IN SHARE CAPITAL: None.
11. DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURE: Mineral development expenditure incurred by the
group is carried in the condensed financial statements at cost, less an
impairment provision. The recovery of this expenditure is dependent upon the
successful development and operation of the Parys Mountain project which is
itself conditional on finance being available to fund such development.
12. COMPARATIVE INFORMATION: As described in note 7, the Parys Mountain project
is no longer classified as held for sale. As required by IFRSs, the comparative
information at 31 March 2008 in the income statement has been reclassified and
the balance sheet comparative information has not been reclassified.
13. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: This financial information does not constitute
statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.
Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008 which were prepared under
International Financial Reporting Standards, as approved by the European Union,
have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on
those accounts did not contain a statement under Section 237 of the Companies
Act 1985, was not qualified and did not include a reference to any matters to
which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis.
14. POST BALANCE SHEET AND OTHER EVENTS: None.
15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS: None.
For further information:
Bill Hooley, Chief Executive +(44) 1492 541981
Ian Cuthbertson, Finance Director +(44) 1248 361333
mail@angleseymining.co.uk www.angleseymining.co.uk